Museum and Library
Florence Bartolomei Roselli Library
The Florence Bartolomei Roselli Library serves as a primary research center dedicated to Italian and Italian-American heritage. Housing over 3,000 volumes, hundreds of reference files, and 113 oral history transcripts, its bilingual collection supports students, scholars, and community members. Visitors can explore works by renowned Italian authors, historical documents, and community archives, making it an essential repository for preserving and celebrating rich regional traditions, immigrant stories, and cultural history.
Calabresi In America Exhibit
Celebrating the distinct culture of southern Italy, the Calabresi Museum display is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Calabria region. The exhibit features commemorative memorials honoring prominent local community figures alongside rare historical photographs, regional literature, and authentic domestic artifacts. Together, these items tell the story of Calabrian immigrants, highlighting their rich cultural traditions, familial roots, and contributions to the local Italian-American community.
John Cadel Art Gallery
Believed to be the first exclusive Italian-American art gallery in the United States, this space celebrates the artistic achievements of Italian lineage. Anchored by John Cadel's striking masterpiece painting, "The Migrants," the gallery showcases a diverse collection of visual works. Guests can admire vivid oil paintings, detailed bronze sculptures, delicate ceramics, terra cotta pieces, original fine prints, and authentic traditional Italian crafts displayed throughout the room.Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Italians In Chicago Exhibit
Tracing the journey from immigrant life to ethnic identity, this exhibit documents the vibrant history of Italian Americans in the Chicago metropolitan area. Through an extensive collection of historic photographs, personal objects, archival documents, and 113 recorded oral history interviews, the display captures everyday experiences across generations. It serves as an educational bridge, connecting local schools, cultural clubs, and civic groups to local heritage.
The Savoia Exhibit
The Savoia Exhibit showcases an extraordinary feat of architectural modeling and craftsmanship: a detailed 1:100 scale replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Meticulously hand-carved by artists Attilio and Lucio Savoia, this display captures the grandeur, symmetry, and architectural majesty of the iconic Vatican landmark. Visitors can inspect the fine carved details up close, offering a unique perspective on famous Renaissance and Baroque artistry.
Scalabrini Room
This museum honors the legacy of the Scalabrini fathers, a religious order founded in the late 19th century by Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini. Originally created to assist waves of Italian migrants adjusting to life abroad, the order continues its compassionate mission today. The exhibit displays historical artifacts, photographs, and documents highlighting the fathers' global outreach, ministry, and ongoing support for refugees and displaced individuals worldwide.
